Agreements will ease transfer of students in Leeward CC's Associate in Arts in Teaching Program to baccalaureate education programs

PEARL CITY, Oʻahu — Leeward Community College signed articulation agreements this week with both UH West Oʻahu and UH Mānoa that will allow teacher education students interested in continuing their studies beyond the associate‘s degree level a smooth and predictable transition to either campus to pursue a baccalaureate degree.

"These three campuses have stepped up and accomplished exactly what the University of Hawaiʻi System should provide — a clear path for students to begin their preparation to become teachers at a two-year campus and finish with their bachelor‘s degree at a four-year campus," said Linda Johnsrud, UH Vice President for Academic Planning and Policy. "Agreements like these save students‘ time and money, and help the university better address the state‘s need for qualified teachers."

Students in good standing in the Associate in Arts in Teaching (AAT) Program at Leeward CC will now be eligible for admission to UH West Oʻahu to pursue a bachelor‘s degree in education with a concentration in elementary education.

"These agreements represent the collaboration of faculty and administration from all three campuses coming together to support the best interest of our students," said Leeward CC Interim Chancellor Manuel Cabral. "Our program has grown from 24 students in Fall 2006 to 155 students in Fall 2007, and with these agreements, we know our students will have a smooth academic pathway to pursue their dreams of becoming tomorrow‘s teachers."

Advisors and counselors at Leeward CC and UH West Oʻahu will partner to ensure timely and accurate advising information for students on pre-admission, admission, degree requirements and other related advising information.

"Through this agreement, we have pledged a smooth academic pathway across campuses as teacher candidates work towards achieving their goal of becoming elementary school teachers," said Dr. Mary Heller, UH West Oʻahu Teacher Education Director. "This agreement also represents our commitment to the children of Hawaiʻi who deserve the best that public education can offer."

Leeward CC‘s agreement with UH Mānoa will facilitate the smooth transition of students completing the AAT Program at Leeward CC to a number of bachelor degree programs in the College of Education at UH Mānoa. These include the college‘s bachelor degree programs in elementary education, elementary education with an early childhood emphasis, elementary education with a Hawaiian community emphasis, and the dual preparation program in elementary and special education.

Students in good standing in the AAT Program at Leeward CC will be eligible to apply for admission to these UH Mānoa degree programs with final acceptance contingent upon completion of the program and meeting designated criteria such as a minimum GPA, completion of core requirements, passing exam scores, field experience, and a personal interview.

"Students who complete the AAT will be able to come into the cohort programs in elementary education at the same level as students who began their academic careers on the Mānoa campus," said UH Mānoa College of Education Dean Christine Sorensen. "We are looking forward to our partnership with Leeward Community College to prepare outstanding teachers for Hawaiʻi, and to expanding partnerships to prepare secondary teachers in the future."

Leeward CC's AAT degree offers a solid liberal arts core and specific education classes that prepare students for an entry-level education position or for transfer to a four-year teacher education program. It seeks to improve equity and access to teacher education for underrepresented groups and nontraditional students, and to address the critical teacher shortage in the state of Hawaiʻi by providing more teachers who are locally educated and culturally sensitive to schools in their own communities. For more information, visit www.leeward.hawaii.edu/aat.